Blinky Blinky

[Big IV]

Before I headed home last night I called and let my wife know I was headin' home to her. She was still working on supper, so I took a little longer way home to give her time to work without me getting in her way.

Coming down hwy 27 another bike of some sort fell in behind me. He caught my eye because his turn signal was showing he wanted to turn left even when there was no where to turn left. I held up the blinky hand sign to let him know.

I kept running off and leaving him, but I kept looking back to see if he'd ever turn off that turn signal. He did.  But eventually he knocked it again and turned it back on.

I took a long slow turn onto Orchard Road trying to catch a sight of him in my rear view wandering what type of bike it was. He followed me.  Orchard Road is a nice two lane country road with a few lovely curves.  I ran off and left him. I didn't think much about it. I did slow down around one curve when I realized one of the yards was full of police officers, then I realized that they looked busy. I don't know what they were doing, but a yard full of cops questioning people in a yard made them all look real busy.

When I got to the end of the road, going to turn left, I was held up by some traffic. Before I had a chance to turn the bike caught up and came up beside of me. he was going to turn right. 

He was riding an older but nice looking Honda Shadow. He told me he had bought it just a few weeks ago but had not had a chance to ride it much yet.  The only thing he said he was struggling with as he was learning was the turn signal.  He thanked me for letting him know his was still on.

Blinky's bike sounded good when he pulled off. I don't know what pipes he was running, but as we talked between the bikes they were nicely quiet, but when he took off they were throaty and deep. It was a nice sound. I watched him pull off to the right. He didn't use the turn signal. Oh well. He'll get it.

[Lyn-Del]

Several years ago, I went on a ride sponsored by my local Honda shop.  We were divided into small groups, mostly 5, ours had 6.  One of the guys was flat out dangerous!!

His turn signal was on for several miles, so I pulled up to signal him.  He yelled "Can't talk now, I'm riding!!"  So I shouted to him to turn off his signal.

This guy, I swear, rode every position in that group except member!  He popped in and out of the group, once even dropping in ahead of the group leader (the only guy who knew where we were going!)

Some miles later, I was in front of him, and he pulled up on my right (he was on the shoulder) to tell me my signal was on.  I darned near turned into him - yes, my signal was on.  So was the signal of everyone else - we were turning right.

I laid into the guy at our first stop.  And got a lot of support from the other riders, even from different groups.  He asked "but what do you do when you just have the urge to roll?"  "I don't ride with a group!!!"  Then we went off and left him to hook up with another group.

He was very subdued at lunch.  I gather he tried to complain about the way I treated him and found that others were on my side!

But now, every time I see the "blinker on" signal, the first thing that crosses my mind is "Can't talk now.  I'm riding!!"

[Tundra]

Great story, should bring many more! That's exactly why I'm reluctant to ride with folks I don't know. Organized group rides can be fun, especialy for new riders to learn motorcycle safety basics and learn tips from more experienced riders. The ride leader should set his expectations of all before his ride and know his groups abilities. But beware, that new rider can take you down! I stay as far away as possible from group rides, too many unsafe experiences

[Lyn-Del]

I've gotten to the point that I rarely want to ride with with groups, except Valk riders.  Seems we Valk folks actually USE our bikes, so we know how to ride.

I especially avoid charity runs, toy runs, etc.  Too many folks there who haven't ridden since the same event LAST year.  Though, if I'm in town, I make an exception for the Ride for Kids.  Of course, I take my sidecar rig so I get to ride up front with the other sidecars and trikes carrying the kids.   Only those truly comfortable with their bikes seem to sign up to take the kids along.

Rule to live by:  Live to ride another day.

Ride safe!!

[Jack]

I've gotten to the point that I rarely want to ride with with groups, except Valk riders.  Seems we Valk folks actually USE our bikes, so we know how to ride.

I especially avoid charity runs, toy runs, etc.  Too many folks there who haven't ridden since the same event LAST year.  Though, if I'm in town, I make an exception for the Ride for Kids.  Of course, I take my sidecar rig so I get to ride up front with the other sidecars and trikes carrying the kids.   Only those truly comfortable with their bikes seem to sign up to take the kids along.

Rule to live by:  Live to ride another day.


 

Ride safe!!

[Rowdy]

  Know what you mean - riding with a group of strangers can be hazardus 

Rode in a poker run with some strangers thru Columbus - will never do that again 

Been riding with the Leathernecks once in awhile  exceptions to the rule when you get new rider just learning to ride with a group